Graphite C

Unit cell

Lattice constants

a = 2.464 Å, b = 2.464 Å, c = 6.711 Å; α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 120°

Cell volume

35.3 ų

Atoms in the cell

4 (C 4)

Formula units Z

4

Calculated density

2.26 g cm⁻³

Shortest contact

1.423 Å

Coordination

C

CN 3 at 1.42 Å (3 C)

About the structure

• Flat hexagonal layers (C–C 1.42 Å) stacked ABAB, 3.35 Å apart.
• Three σ bonds per carbon in the layer; the fourth electron is delocalised, hence the conductivity.
• Layers are held only by dispersion forces, so they slide: the lubricant and the pencil.

Atom positions (fractional, one cell)

Z, coordination numbers, distances, density and packing on this page are computed from these coordinates.